Water is necessary for carrying nutrients to your cells, flushing bacteria from your system, preventing dehydration, and replacing fluids lost from sweating, but you may not need to drink as much as you thought.
Stephen R. Daniels. pediatrician. No. You shouldn't give your newborn water or sugar water. And if you're feeding powdered or concentrated formula to your baby, never dilute it with more than the amount of water called for on the label. Your infant will get all the necessary hydration from breast milk or formula.
No matter your baby's age, it's essential to keep him well-hydrated when battling a cold. A baby will usually want to nurse or take a bottle more frequently when sick because he needs that comfort, says Dr. William Sears, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.